family vacation

Palm Springs — Family Vacation Pics

September 7, 2017 by Lisa Leave a Comment

Palm Springs is amazing spot found in the California desert roughly 150 miles from Los Angeles. I visited Palm Springs twice this year and have two more trips booked in 2018. There is something about this small desert enclave that speaks to my soul and beckons me from 2,348 miles away. I have had people tell me over the years that once you visit the desert, you never want to come back. While I love my home here in North Carolina, part of my heart and soul are currently sitting somewhere in the desert, waiting for me to return and explore and listen to what the desert is trying to tell me.

I took my professional camera to Palm Springs, but all of these photos were shot on my iPhone. They’re not technically perfect, as I was experiencing and rejoicing in the moment. I snapped while traipsing through Joshua Tree National Park. Others were snapped when I whipped my car to the curb to grab a photo of one of the mid-century modern architectural beauties peppering the streets of Palm Springs.

Palm Springs — Summer Snaps

Joshua Tree National Park was 115 degrees on the day I took this.

You’ll find me meditating under a cluster of Joshua Trees come February.

The view from the middle of the pool at our resort. I did not have a waterproof case on my phone. This means I am very lucky that it is sitting beside me on my desk and in working order.

Mid-Century Modern. Be still my heart. I never understood mid-century modern until I met my husband and always thought I was a traditional gal in terms of design and architecture. It goes to show you how something so powerful as design can change and rattle you to your very core.

There are more summer snaps to come. If you’d like to see more of my summer vacation snaps before my blog posts are up, head over to Instagram and check out my feed. I shared a lot of photos there, including some of the ones you see here.

Vacation Conundrum

May 1, 2012 by Lisa Leave a Comment

Vacations are something I look forward to every summer with my family. We always do something fun that leaves us relaxed and fresh at the end of our trip. However, we’re in a bit of vacation conundrum this year. We have no idea what we’re doing, nor have we booked our annual getaway.

What’s wrong with that? We’re always book by the second week in January. After the Christmas decorations come down and the New Years Resolutions have been tossed to the wayside, it’s time to pick where our annual pilgrimage will be.

I’m stressing.

Normally, it’s a relaxing 10 days by the sea, or fantastic road trip. This year, we’re clueless. I know how lucky we are to be able to vacation in the current economic conditions, but digging for ideas is tough. We’d discussed a summer vacation in Europe, however Peanut needs a passport and mine needs renewing. The Olympics are this summer, so it’s best we stay on this side of the pond.

Large American cities are out as well. Last summer we were in Chicago during a heat wave. When it’s 104, you don’t want to explore the city, you want to sit in your hotel room, nude, drinking copious amounts of ice water. I don’t care how poetically the Lovin’ Spoonful waxed in “Summer in the City”, that’s a no.

Peanut is no help. When I asked him, the only response was “someplace cool, we’ve never been before”. Okay kid, thanks for opening a black hole for me. My husband has been equally helpful. I now understand why women during the Camelot era needed to “take a trip” a/k/a the nervous breakdown. Lord knows I’m not there, but it’s a nice thought. The kids think Mom has gone on a vacation; except this time Mom does go on vacation!

So, here I am, on limited time, looking to teh interwebz for guidance. Tell me your favorite vacation spots. I’m desperate.

Going Coastal: Day One, Ocean Isle Inn

August 8, 2011 by Lisa Leave a Comment

Yes, that is an intentional play on words. Because if we didn’t make it here, some of us might have went postal and going postal is not the same as going coastal by no means.

I’m sitting in my hotel room at the Ocean Isle Inn, in Ocean Isle, North Carolina. They are hosting me (and my family) as their featured blogger of the month and this welcome break is just what the doctor ordered. That is if your doctor ordered salt water, sand and a breeze that is a continuous 20 mph.

Lee, the general manger, runs a tight ship here. The Inn is mother-in-law clean (meaning if your mother-in-law was coming to visit, your house would be this clean after weeks of preparation). The hospitality is Southern at it’s best and top notch. You don’t feel like a “tourist”, but a welcome member of the family. Tracy is the social media guru and he’s fabulous. If you have a question, ask him and you’ll get your answer with the best beach knowledge in town.

Tracy working hard at the Ocean Isle Inn

Stop in and say hi to Tracy!

Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t my first trip to Ocean Isle Inn. I stayed here in January when I spoke at the NC Mom Bloggers conference. It’s not changed. From winter to summer, the property is a welcome sight. Never changing and familiar faces. For me, that raises the level of happiness to a higher level.

So this week, you get part of the North Carolina coast that might not be on your radar. One that exudes charm, hospitality and a je ne sais quoi you won’t be able to resist. Just know, that one visit won’t be enough.